Modi, Oli jointly inaugurate Janakpur-Ayodhya direct bus service

"Janakpur and Ayodhya are being connected. This is a historic moment," Prime Minister Modi said while inaugurating the bus service, connecting Lord Rama's birthplace Ayodhya with goddess Sitas birthplace Janakpur.

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PTI

Janakpur

May 11, 2018

UPDATED: May 11, 2018 19:39 IST

PM Narendra Modi speaks to the media as Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli stands next to him during his visit at Janaki Mandir, a Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Sita, in Janakpur. (Photo: Reuters)

HIGHLIGHTS

Its part of a 'Ramayan Circuit' to promote religious tourism in Nepal and India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli today jointly inaugurated a direct bus service between Janakpur and Ayodhya, the two sacred cities for Hindus, as part of a "Ramayan Circuit" to promote religious tourism in Nepal and India.

"Janakpur and Ayodhya are being connected. This is a historic moment," Prime Minister Modi said while inaugurating the bus service, connecting Lord Rama's birthplace Ayodhya with goddess Sitas birthplace Janakpur.

Modi flagged off the bus after visiting the famed 20th century Janaki temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Sita, where he offered special prayers.

Earlier, Nepalese Prime Minister Oli welcomed his Indian counterpart upon his arrival at the temple complex.

"I am glad to be here in Janakpur. I am here to pay respects to King Janak and Mata Janaki. I thank the PM of Nepal Shri Oli for accompanying me during this visit to Janakpur," Modi said.

Thousands of people gathered in the Janaki temple premises to welcome Modi. Janaki temple got a new look as the temple was cleaned up and decorated with lights.

"Today's welcome in Nepal shows the affection the people of Nepal have towards the people of India," Modi told the gathering.

Janakpur is known as the birth place of Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. Janaki temple was built in memory of Sita in 1910. The three-storied structure made entirely of stone and marble is 50-metre high and spread over 4860 sq feet.